How come I'm invincible?

Chapter 92 Lin, the Chief of the Anzhou Security Bureau, the Loyal and Brave Captain, has arrived!

In the head guard's room.

Lin Fan sat there, calmly observing the two people standing behind Ning Yu, and saw anxiety and urgency in them.

"Ning Yu, who are these two?"

Lin Fan asked, his voice steady.

Ning Yu said, "Master, they came from the Pingcheng County Security Bureau and said they have important matters to discuss with us."

"Oh! So you're a colleague." Lin Fan became interested. Since he took office, he had never encountered a colleague from the county's security office who came to Anzhou Prefecture.

Could they be here to offer gifts and bribes to curry favor with the powerful figures?

Mao Xiang felt Lin Fan's scrutinizing gaze, and an invisible pressure enveloped his entire body, as if he were being stared at by a lurking tiger. This made him involuntarily more respectful. He stepped forward, clasped his hands in a fist salute, and bowed deeply, his voice loud and clear:
"This humble servant, Mao Xiang, the head constable of Pingcheng County Security Bureau, along with Yi Chuan, a regular constable, pays respects to Your Excellency!"

Yi Chuan quickly followed suit and bowed deeply.

Despite their young age, the headmaster in front of them exuded a terrifying aura of authority. Just by looking at them, he gave them the feeling of being stared at by a ferocious beast.

"Yes, no need for formalities, please have a seat." Lin Fan looked at Ning Yu, "Bring them two cups of tea."

Mao Xiang immediately put on an expression of being flattered.

Lin Fan looked at Mao Xiang in front of him.

The other person didn't seem like someone who came to pay respects. Judging from their appearance, clothing, and the aura they exuded, he felt that the other person didn't seem like that kind of person.

As the head of the class, he was also learning how to judge people based on their first impressions.

"What brings you all the way from Pingcheng County?" Lin Fan cut straight to the point.

The voice just fell.

Mao Xiang suddenly sprang up from her chair, then knelt down on one knee with a thud, clasped her hands in a fist salute, looked up at Lin Fan, and said in a choked voice:

"My lord, I have come at the risk of my life to implore you to restore order to Pingcheng County and uphold justice!"

Upon seeing this, Yi Chuan hurriedly got up from his seat and knelt down as well.

"Get up, everyone. If you have something to say, sit down and talk."

Lin Fan frowned slightly. He had only been in office for a short time, and the head of the county under his jurisdiction had brought people over, which meant that there must be a huge injustice involved.

The squad leader held a high position in the county town.

In the prefecture of public security, he was second only to the clerk.

They wield real power.

Even powerful squad leaders were forced to petition, so how bad must Pingcheng County be?
Mao Xiang and Yi Chuan thanked him repeatedly and sat back down in their chairs.

Ning Yu brought over two cups of tea, placed them on the table, and said, "If you have anything to say, just say it. My master is the most fair and just person. As long as what you say is true and there is a real injustice, he will naturally not ignore it."

Mao Xiang and Yi Chuan nodded their thanks quickly.

"My lord, I have been wronged, wronged beyond measure! I am useless and powerless to fight them. I have no choice but to come to Anzhou Prefecture to seek your help." Mao Xiang was heartbroken and extremely distressed when he thought about what happened in Pingcheng County.

"A bad strategy?" Lin Fan shook his head and said, "No, this is the best strategy. It is foolish to insist on fighting against things that you cannot solve yourself. What is the role of me as the chief officer, sitting in charge of a prefecture and eight counties? Naturally, it is to solve the things that you cannot solve."

"Tell me, what exactly happened?"

At this moment, he really wanted to know what had happened.

Mao Xiang gathered his thoughts and stated as clearly as possible, "Sir, the matter is like this: In our Pingcheng County, there is a Han family, a well-known benevolent family in the area. Master Han and his wife are charitable, building bridges and roads, and helping the poor. They are highly respected among the people. The young master of the Han family is also a kind and honest man. He married a woman surnamed Han, and they have two children. The family is harmonious, but a month ago..."

He recounted the whole story in detail.

Lin Fan listened attentively and roughly understood what was going on.

The local police and county government both believed that Han had poisoned her husband and parents-in-law to kill them in order to inherit the family property. This family had previously adopted a godson.

Now they've come forward, saying they want to seek justice for their godfather, godmother, and godbrother.

He demanded that Han be executed, and in return, he would take in the two children.

The meaning is clear: he wants to monopolize all of the Han family's assets.

“My lord, this Han is innocent. I have collected a lot of evidence. Han is virtuous and kind, filial to her parents-in-law, and considerate to her husband. There is no way she could have done such a heinous thing. But the local clerk and the county magistrate do not agree. I have even been threatened.”

“This humble servant is naturally not afraid of threats, but their power is simply too great. This humble servant cannot stand alone. Now that the Han family will be sentenced in court in three days, this humble servant has no choice but to take this best option and report to Anzhou Prefecture.”

"We implore Your Honor to uphold justice."

After saying that, he took out the evidence he had collected from his pocket and respectfully handed it to Lin Fan.

Lin Fan picked up the evidence, flipped through it, and asked as he looked, "What is the background of this so-called godson?"

"Reporting to Your Excellency, this man is named Zhu Hao. He used to be a local ruffian in Pingcheng County, doing nothing. One day, he saved the old lady of the Han family and recognized her as his godmother. From then on, he received help and became a local tyrant in Pingcheng County."

When Mao Xiang mentioned the other person, his eyes were filled with disgust, clearly indicating that this person had done too many bad things in Pingcheng County.

Ning Yu said from the side, "Master, I have seen this kind of situation before. This is clearly a frame-up, an attempt to make the Han family line end so that outsiders can seize the family property."

"As a daughter-in-law of the Han family, with a son and a daughter, she has no worries about food and clothing. How could she poison someone?"

"In my opinion, this is clearly a case of Zhu Hao colluding with the clerk and the county magistrate. If it weren't for Mao Bantou's persistent pursuit, we would have been left helpless and they would have succeeded."

Ning Yu clenched her fists. "Master, your disciple is willing to volunteer to go to Pingcheng County to seek justice for the Han family."

Lin Fan looked at Ning Yu.

His analysis was truly insightful and logical.

"Alright, since you're so determined, then I'll send you there. You'll lead several constables and Captain Mao and the others to Pingcheng County. You must handle this matter properly and leave no loose ends," Lin Fan said.

"Yes, sir, I guarantee I will handle this case well." Ning Yu straightened his back and made a solemn promise.

At this moment, she did not address Lin Fan as "Master" but as "Your Excellency," indicating that she was going there as an official of the Anzhou Prefecture.

Lin Fan wasn't worried about Ning Yu facing any danger in Pingcheng County.

Some time ago, when he was in the brothel in Yong'an, he noticed that he was being watched. After leaving Yong'an and arriving in Anzhou Prefecture, he noticed that he was being watched again.

He didn't pay much attention to it.

This is not spying on him.

They must be protecting Ning Yu.

Mao Xiang and Yi Chuan exchanged a glance, overjoyed. The fact that the clerk had personally taken action meant that the Han family had a chance. Although they hoped that the chief magistrate would personally intervene, they could understand that the chief magistrate was too busy to go to Pingcheng County.

……

Three days later, at the Pingcheng County Government Office.

The atmosphere in the courtroom was tense and oppressive.
The county government and the prefectural government jointly conducted the trial. The county magistrate sat in front of the highest table, the clerk sat on the table to the left, and Ning Yu sat on the table to the right.

Mao Xiang stood behind Ning Yu, his back ramrod straight, his gaze unabashedly fixed on the registrar opposite him and the county magistrate above.

The clerk and the county magistrate glanced at Mao Xiang with displeasure, letting out a barely audible snort. They really hadn't expected Mao Xiang to go to Anzhou Prefecture and even invite the clerk over.

At first, they were indeed a little flustered.

But when they saw that it was just a young female official, their worries were immediately relieved.

Moreover, the evidence in this case is complete, and even Han himself has confessed and signed the confession.

They really didn't believe that anyone could turn this case upside down.

Even if the King of Heaven himself came, it wouldn't make a difference.

The entrance to the government office was completely surrounded by people who had rushed there after hearing the news.

The Han family had an excellent reputation in Pingcheng County, and Han's virtue was well-known. Most people did not believe that she would do such a heinous thing, and today they all hoped for a fair outcome.

"Lord Ning, do you think it's time to begin the court proceedings?" The magistrate forced a smile.

Regardless of the circumstances, the other party is an official from Anzhou Prefecture, so we should still give them the respect they deserve.

Of course, in their Pingcheng County, dragons are expected to coil up and tigers to lie down. If you want to bare your teeth, you don't have the ability, let alone a tigress.

Ning Yu ignored the county magistrate and turned her gaze to Han Shi, who was kneeling below the hall and had a slender figure.

"Han, raise your head," Ning Yu said.

Han raised his head blankly, his eyes filled with despair, showing no sign of hope for survival.

Ning Yu said solemnly, "I am an official of the Anzhou Prefectural Government. I have been ordered by Chief Lin to review the case of your Han family. You need not be afraid. If you have any grievances, you may speak boldly. I will definitely find out the truth for you and uphold justice."

It looks quite professional and has a lot of presence.

Even so, Han's expression remained unchanged, her eyes were still empty, and she didn't even blink before slowly lowering her head again.

This made Ning Yu's heart skip a beat. She felt that something was wrong. Han's expression was strange. What if she was really wronged?

Upon learning of Anzhou Prefecture's involvement, regardless of the outcome, there will certainly be those who cry foul and plead for justice.

How could she have such an expression?

Think of this.

Ning Yu continued, “Mrs. Han, I am the chief officer appointed by Lin Zongban of Anzhou to investigate this matter. I have already investigated your situation. Everyone praises you as a virtuous wife and loving mother, respecting the elderly and honoring the virtuous. I do not believe that you could commit such a heinous crime. Tell me what grievances you have. You may disregard the previous statements from the prefectural and county governments.”

Finished saying this.

"Lord Ning!" the clerk beside him couldn't help but speak up, "This...this is not in accordance with the rules, is it? The perpetrator has already signed and confessed..."

"Insolence!" Ning Yu glared angrily. "I am handling this case, and you have no right to speak. If I find out that you have framed others, none of you will escape."

The clerk's face turned pale and then red.

He hadn't expected that this clerk, Ning, would be so volatile, as if she had been poisoned by gunpowder. She even showed that she wanted to completely overturn the case against the Han family.

This thought was written all over their faces.

The onlookers secretly cheered, realizing that this official genuinely wanted to overturn the Han family's case and was not colluding with the clerk and magistrate.

This gave them hope.

Seeing this, the magistrate quickly tried to smooth things over, forcing a smile and saying, "Lord Ning, please calm down. The clerk was just in a hurry. However, this case has all the evidence and witnesses. We have repeatedly checked the case before we were able to make a decision. There is absolutely no possibility of a false accusation. I hope you will investigate thoroughly, my lord."

"Hmph, whether it's a frame-up or not, I will judge for myself." Ning Yu snorted coldly, no longer looking at them. "Bring witnesses."

Suppressing his dissatisfaction and anger, the magistrate said, "Summon the witnesses to the court."

“Witness…”

The sound spread one after another.

A moment later, led by the constables, the three witnesses were brought into the courtroom. As soon as they entered, the three witnesses knelt down and waited to be questioned.

The magistrate pointed to one of the male witnesses and looked at Ning Yu, saying, "Your Honor, this is Liu Qing, a doctor from the clinic. He personally sold the medicine to the Han family."

"Liu Qing, raise your head." Ning Yu ignored the county magistrate and looked at Liu Qing, deliberately lowering his voice to a deep and serious tone.

Liu Qing looked up at Ning Yu with trembling fear.

Ning Yu said, "I am an official from the Anzhou Security Bureau. I have been ordered by the Chief Sergeant to investigate this matter. If you dare to speak nonsense, fabricate stories, or frame others, you should know how serious the consequences will be, understand?"

"I...I understand." Liu Qing stammered, his heart filled with panic.

"Tell me, are you sure the Han family bought the medicine from your clinic?"

"Yes, sir. The Han family bought the medicine from me. They bought three large bags of arsenic."

"Hmph!" Ning Yu snorted coldly, "But as far as I know, your clinic has not lost any arsenic. Your purchase order for arsenic clearly states this. Could it be that the remaining arsenic you have just conjured up out of thin air?"

Liu Qing said, "Sir, my clinic has been unable to sell any arsenic. It's all old stock, and some of it isn't even recorded on the order slip."

Ning Yu looked coldly at Liu Qing, her gaze falling on a maid from the Han family. "Wang Cuicui, you said you personally witnessed your mistress strangling her father-in-law to death, is that right?"

Wang Cuicui nodded repeatedly, "Sir, yes, I saw it with my own eyes. When I discovered it, she even tried to kill me to silence me."

"Are you sure you saw it with your own eyes?" Ning Yu questioned.

"I saw it with my own eyes, and I dare not lie about it in the slightest."

At this moment, the county magistrate and the registrar remained calm.

No panic at all.

It was as if everything was under control.

At this moment, the last witness also wanted to speak, but was interrupted by Ning Yu.

"Shut up! I haven't even asked you a question, why are you asking me something? Or are you trying to recite something you've memorized?"

Ning Yu will unleash all the aura and authority she learned from her master.

Don't take her for granted that she's a clerk who can't conduct interrogations.

She did learn something truly valuable.

The clerk said, "Sir, this case has been tried by our prefectural and county governments for almost a month. All the witnesses' testimonies have remained unchanged, and the evidence is conclusive."

Ning Yu frowned, displeased, and said, "Did I give you permission to speak?"

The clerk was repeatedly reprimanded by Ning Yu, and he was losing face. However, he could not really argue with Ning Yu, so he could only lower his head with a livid face and curse in his heart.

You stinking woman.

Standing behind Ning Yu, Mao Xiang was full of admiration. As expected of someone close to the head of the class, her aura was indeed strong. Although she was a powerful dragon, she still managed to suppress the local snake.

There is hope for Han's case to be overturned.

No... there is definitely a very good chance.

Ning Yu looked at Madam Han, softened her tone, and said gently, "Madam Han, do you have anything to say? You can't just admit to a crime. If you did it, then admit it; if you didn't, then you can't admit it even if you're beaten to death."

She felt she was being so assertive.

The Han family should understand.

I came here to overturn her case.

You should choose to believe me.

Speak out if you have any grievances. Don't be afraid of them. No matter what happens, I, Ning Yu Ning Limu, will back you up.

Ning Yu was completely stunned when she heard what Han said next.

"My lord, it was me. I poisoned my parents-in-law and husband. It was all me."

This statement is from one place.

There was an uproar at the scene.

The people whispered among themselves, unable to believe it.

Ning Yu suddenly stood up, "Han, you can't just say things carelessly, and you can't just admit to crimes recklessly. You need to think this through."

Even Mao Xiang looked at Han Shi with a completely astonished expression.

You were the one who cried foul before, how did things turn out like this now?

The clerk and the county magistrate exchanged a glance, their eyes filled with amusement, and looked at Ning Yu, their meaning quite clear: "You little brat, you don't know anything. Do you really think that just because you're an official in Anzhou Prefecture, you can put us on the same level in Pingcheng County?"
What a joke.

Han cried out in a mournful voice, "I killed him, I deserve to die, I deserve to die."

The magistrate said, “Your Honor, you have seen and heard that Han has confessed, and the evidence is conclusive. We must not easily believe someone’s one-sided words. In Pingcheng County, the clerk and I are very rigorous in handling cases. We will never let things slide without absolute evidence.”

Ning Yu clenched her fists tightly at this moment.

My mind kept going over various scenarios.

Why did Han confess so easily?

She came to Pingcheng County after conducting a thorough investigation. The murderer could not possibly be Han. What went wrong that made Han willing to bear the crime of murder?

Sudden.

A loud voice came from outside.

"Commander-in-Chief of Anzhou Security Bureau, Loyal and Brave Captain Lin, has arrived—!!!"

This announcement, like a thunderclap from a clear sky, instantly shook the entire county government office.

Wow! ! !
The crowd gathered at the entrance looked behind them, then dispersed like a tide, making way for them.

Ning Yu, who was inside the hall, was taken aback at first, and then her face lit up with great joy.

The master is here, there's hope!

The county magistrate and his clerk, who had previously maintained a somewhat arrogant and composed demeanor, suddenly jumped up from their seats as if struck by lightning.

Their faces turned deathly pale instantly, their eyes filled with astonishment, disbelief, and deep panic. They both looked toward the doorway, their bodies trembling slightly.

Under everyone's gaze.

Lin Fan's face was cold and stern, as if covered with a layer of frost. He held a young child in one hand and stepped into the courtroom with steady and powerful steps.

His tall and upright figure, and his imposing and dignified demeanor, gave everyone present an invisible yet powerful sense of pressure.

For some reason, this Chief Lin was no ordinary person to the common people, giving them a strong sense of security.

In the hall.

“Master…” Ning Yu looked aggrieved the moment she saw Lin Fan. She had failed and couldn’t accomplish it.

Lin Fan gave her a reassuring look, a faint smile playing on his lips, and said in a low voice, "Well done, the momentum is there, but the details are still a bit lacking."

"Master, what details?"

Ning Yu was puzzled, but when she saw the two children being led by their master, the point that had been puzzling her became completely clear.

"mother……"

The two children had not seen their mother for a long time. When they saw her kneeling in the hall being bullied, they immediately broke free from Lin Fan's hand and cried as they rushed into Han's arms.

Having already confessed and feeling utterly hopeless, Han tightly embraced her two children. Hearing them call her "Mother," Han cried out, "Sir, I'm innocent! I'm innocent!" "They're threatening me with my children. If I keep crying out for my innocence, they'll kill them."

at this time.

Lin Fan didn't linger and walked step by step toward the highest point of the case.

The county magistrate and the clerk hurriedly stepped forward, their backs almost bent at a ninety-degree angle, their voices trembling as they spoke.

"This humble official greets the Commandant."

"Get out of my way." Lin Fan said coldly, walked to the highest table, flicked his sleeve, and sat down steadily. His gaze fell on the two people. "Get out of my way. I will personally handle this case."

The clerk and the county magistrate lowered their heads and secretly exchanged a glance, both feeling panicked.

How could I dare disobey?

They could only stand aside and wait to see what would happen next.

When Lin Fan sat down, everyone suddenly felt that the light in the hall seemed to brighten, and the plaque hanging above seemed to truly radiate dazzling light.

Snapped!
Lin Fan picked up the gavel and slammed it onto the table, the sound like a thunderclap that startled everyone present.

"Han, who threatened you to kill your child if you didn't plead guilty?" Lin Fan asked.

Han replied, "Reporting to Your Excellency, it is Zhu Hao."

Lin Fan looked at the county magistrate and the clerk and questioned, "Where is Zhu Hao? Why isn't he in court?"

The magistrate, sweating profusely, forced a smile and replied, "Your Honor, Zhu Hao is not involved in this case, therefore he is not in court."

He was truly intimidated by the headmaster in front of him.

The aura is too strong.

It felt like facing a mountain, pressing down on my heart, making it hard to even turn over, and even breathing became difficult.

"Go and bring him here," Lin Fan said.

"Your Excellency, Zhu Hao left Ping'an City yesterday. I do not know where he is." The magistrate could only grit his teeth and try to avoid the situation.

"is it?"

Lin Fan's lips curled into a mocking sneer.

"Yes, yes," the magistrate could only reply, forcing a smile.

The pressure from the previous official Ning was nothing compared to that of the one before him.

If I absolutely have to say...

That was the anger that Ning Limu gave him.

Facing the head teacher, he was afraid that he might reveal the truth out of fear.

Lin Fan stopped looking at him and raised his voice towards the outside of the hall, "Bring Zhu Hao up."

The magistrate was about to say that Zhu Hao had really left, but he quickly realized that the words were not meant for him. When he turned to look at the door, he saw Zhu Hao being forcibly brought in by two constables.

Xu Ming kicked Zhu Hao in the knee, forcing him to his knees.

At this moment, everyone saw that Zhu Hao had two fingers broken off, and blood was gushing out uncontrollably.

The county magistrate and the clerk looked at each other in bewilderment.

not good.

This head instructor is very ruthless; he's already resorted to severe torture in private.

At this moment, Lin Fan picked up the gavel and slammed it down on the table.

Bang.

The gavel shattered.

The table was smashed to pieces, splinters flying everywhere, leaving everyone dumbfounded.

"Zhu Hao, tell me the truth, what exactly happened?" Lin Fan said sternly.

Zhu Hao was now terrified, his face contorted with fear, and the combined physical and mental anguish made it impossible for him to continue.

"My lord, spare my life! I know I was wrong, I know I was wrong. It was the magistrate and the clerk who tricked me into doing this. They coveted the Han family's wealth and made me poison them."

"My lord, please spare my life."

Zhu Hao cried out.

The clerk and the county magistrate's expressions changed drastically, and they glared at each other, saying, "Zhu Hao, you're spouting nonsense! You're talking rubbish!"

Qian Tao and Xu Ming stepped forward, slapped the two men, and then kicked them in the knees. With a thud, the two men knelt down in the hall.

"Sir, spare my life."

The clerk and the county magistrate turned pale, knowing there was no hope and they were completely finished.

“You bunch of dogs! As the magistrate of Pingcheng County, instead of serving the people, you collude with local bullies to murder for money and frame others. If I don’t punish you severely, how can I live up to the expectations of the thousands of people in Pingcheng County?”

Lin Fan's stern rebuke intimidated everyone present.

"Someone is coming."

Qian Tao and Wu Yong stepped forward to receive their orders.

"Take down the county magistrate, the registrar, and the ringleader Zhu Hao, and immediately escort them to the execution ground!" Lin Fan's voice was cold and ruthless, directly sentencing them to death.

He had too many things to deal with in Anzhou and simply didn't have time to waste on parasites of this caliber.

The most effective approach is to act swiftly and decisively to set an example for others.

Just kill him and be done with it.

Qian Tao and Wu Yong immediately stepped forward.

The clerk and the county magistrate were so frightened that they collapsed to the ground.

"My lord, spare my life! Lord Lin, you can't do this! I am an official appointed by the imperial court. To kill me, you need the prefect's approval. This is overstepping your bounds and against the rules!"

The magistrate struggled desperately, letting out pig-like screams as he made a final stand.

"Rules! Rules! I think your head looks like a rule, drag it out and chop it off." Lin Fan waved his hand, annoyed by their wailing and howling.

The people looked shocked.

They never expected that this Chief Lin from Anzhou would be so capable, decisive, and domineering.

They should just cut off the county magistrate and the registrar.

This was an incredible situation to them; some people had never seen anything like it in their entire lives.

"Mao Bantou".

"The humble position is here."

"Pingcheng County cannot be without a leader for even a day. I hereby appoint you as the Chief Administrator of the Pingcheng County Security Office, in charge of the security of the entire county. I hope you will perform your duties diligently and not disappoint my expectations or the hopes of the people," Lin Fan said solemnly.

Mao Xiang respectfully said, "Thank you for your kindness, sir. I, Mao Xiang, swear to heaven that I will do my utmost to maintain the security of Pingcheng County. If I fail to do so, I am willing to offer my head to you."

"Hmm." Lin Fan nodded, then pointed to the three pale-faced witnesses. "These three perjured people. They should be severely punished according to the law. Remember, to govern a place and maintain public order, sometimes you have to use a heavy hand."

"Yes, I understand."

At this moment, Mao Xiang was filled with enthusiasm and energy.

Killing the clerk is fine, after all, the head clerk has that right. As for the county magistrate, it requires the prefect's approval. However, he witnessed firsthand in Anzhou that the head clerk and the prefect were at odds and arguing with each other. He wouldn't have believed it if he hadn't seen it with his own eyes.

Lin Fan looked at Madam Han and said, "Madam Han, now that the truth has come out, your injustice has been cleared. However, the dead cannot be brought back to life. I hope you can be strong and raise your child. If you encounter any difficulties in the future, you can seek help from Clerk Mao."

Pfft!
Han knelt down with her two children, saying, "Thank you, sir, for clearing my name."

The onlookers applauded and cheered.

What, advocating for the people, etc.

……

Security Prefecture.

Lin Fan's actions constituted a surprise inspection of the counties under his jurisdiction.

When the constables learned that the clerk had been dragged out and beheaded by Chief Squad Lin, they were stunned. They looked at Chief Squad Lin as if they were looking at an extremely ferocious tiger.

They trembled and dared not approach.

Even when they get close, they always keep their heads down and dare not look directly at each other.

Lin Fan inspected the area with his hands behind his back, while Mao Xiang respectfully accompanied him throughout.

"Clerk Mao," Lin Fan said calmly, "You must conduct a thorough investigation within the Anzhou Prefecture. Eliminate all those of questionable character and those who have colluded too deeply with the former clerk, without regard to their backgrounds. If anyone dares to cause you trouble, tell them to come directly to Anzhou Prefecture to find me, and say that all of this was my decision."

"Yes, Chief Class Master." With Chief Class Master Lin's support, Mao Xiang felt that he could finally act freely and no longer be as restrained as before.

Lin Fan asked, "Are there any bandits causing trouble around Pingcheng County?"

Since we're already here, we might as well resolve some issues at the same time to avoid future trouble.

Mao Xiang hurriedly replied, "Your Excellency is wise. There is a mountain stronghold called Black Wind Stronghold, located thirty miles northeast of the county town. These bandits are quite rampant, often coming down the mountain to rob passing caravans and harass nearby villages, causing great suffering to the people."

"Black Wind Stronghold, hehe." Lin Fan chuckled. "Are the county magistrate and the clerk connected to that Black Wind Stronghold?"

Mao Xiang thought for a moment and said, "I am not very clear about this, but I have heard that Black Wind Stronghold has some connection with the Ming King Cult, but I do not know if it is true or not."

The Ming King's Teachings.

Isn't this the Mingwang Sect, which has a Mingwang Temple on the outskirts of Anzhou?

If they collude with bandits.

What else could it be but a cult?
"I've been very busy with official duties. I've come here for two reasons. First, I was worried that Ning Yu might lack experience as a presiding judge for the first time, so I came to check on her. Second, I wanted to get a firsthand understanding of the situation in the counties under my jurisdiction." Lin Fan's tone was somewhat grave. "Now it seems there are quite a few problems."

“Master…” Ning Yu, who was standing to the side, was so moved that she was about to cry.

This is how her master cares for her.

Mao Xiang bowed his head and said, "Rest assured, sir. After taking office, I will strictly enforce the law, rectify official corruption, and never allow such heinous incidents to happen again in Pingcheng County."

Lin Fan nodded. "Remember, the constables must be trained well and their morale must be raised. Also, the gangs in the city must be constantly warned and told not to do anything that oppresses the people. If they do, I will severely punish them. If they encounter any problems that they cannot solve, they should notify me and I will handle it personally."

"Yes, sir, I understand," Mao Xiang nodded.

"Go, gather all the constables here. I will take you to Black Wind Stronghold." Lin Fan knew that he needed to make the constables here understand what they could and could not do.

We must use our strength to deeply intimidate them.

After this incident, Mao Xiang was considered to have been promoted by him.

It is unknown how many of the constables in the prefecture are loyal to Mao Xiang now. After all, they all followed the clerk before. Even if the clerk was killed, there must be many constables who secretly disobey Mao Xiang.

Mao Xiang said worriedly, "Sir, with the current number of constables, it may be difficult to deal with Black Wind Stronghold. Why don't we summon the constables from the county government and gather some militia to make sure we have a foolproof plan? Then, under your leadership, we can wipe out Black Wind Stronghold."

The bandits of Black Wind Stronghold are all ruthless.

Their constant fighting skills far surpassed those of the constables.

Lin Fan didn't say anything.

Ning Yu, who was standing to the side, said, "Mao Dianshi, what are you thinking? My master is taking you there not to ask for your help, but to broaden your horizons. You mustn't misunderstand."

what! ?

Mao Xiang blinked, somewhat unable to understand what Ning Limu meant by those words.

But he still obeyed his master's orders and summoned all the constables from the garrison.

Before long, more than thirty constables gathered together.

Lin Fan stood with his hands behind his back in front of them, his gaze falling on them, and he frowned slightly. "You have no posture, you're all listless, what kind of people are you? How can you protect the people of Pingcheng County like this?"

The officers present dared not breathe, all tensing their bodies and straightening their backs.

……

Black Wind Village.

They were based in Pingcheng County, feeding on Pingcheng County caravans and surrounding villages. When they were short of supplies, they would lead their teams down the mountain to plunder.

They were living a very comfortable life.

Inside the hall at this moment.

The Black Wind Stronghold Chief was a burly, rough man with a face full of scars. Now, he was looking greedily at the silver placed in front of him. The silver was arranged on a tray, and each piece was a fifty-tael silver ingot.

There were a full twenty pieces.

The chieftain looked at the plainly dressed man spreading the message and said with a smile, "What does this mean?"

The man said, "Chief, this silver is nothing special. I just hope that you can make things easier for us. In the future, if any villages in Pingcheng County where our Mingwang Sect is preaching see our sect's insignia, I hope you can be lenient and not harass them."

The chieftain laughed, "You think you can make Black Wind Stronghold leave on its own just because of this one thousand taels? You really don't take Black Wind Stronghold seriously at all. If everyone believed you, we'd starve!"

The man calmly said, "Chief, you misunderstand. This thousand taels is just a gift for our meeting. If you agree, I will personally deliver a thousand taels of silver to you every six months. Besides, if you encounter anyone without our Mingwang Sect's mark, you can do whatever you want with them."

They send it every six months?
This made the chieftain fall into deep thought. A thousand taels of silver was a lot of money; sometimes, it would take months of robbing to get that much.

Moreover, he had some understanding of the Mingwang Sect.

They still wield considerable power.

I heard that there are already Mingwang Temples in Anzhou.

Just as the chieftain was wondering if he could ask for a little more, the tightly closed door was kicked open with a bang.

The village chief was startled and looked towards the entrance.

A young man appeared at the door, holding a knife and carrying an iron rod. The chieftain immediately recognized him upon seeing his attire.

The constables of the garrison prefecture.

"Guards! Guards!" the chieftain shouted.

Lin Fan said, "Stop shouting. By the time you closed the door to block out the sound, those bandits were long gone."

At that moment, the chieftain saw the knife dripping with blood and felt a chill run down his spine. Without saying a word, he grabbed the machete behind him, held it horizontally in front of him, and prepared to fight.

Lin Fan walked inside step by step. The chieftain roared, stepped over the table in front of him, and swung his knife at Lin Fan.

puff!

A flash of cold light, as fast as lightning, streaked past.

The chieftain only felt a blur before his eyes. Before he knew what was happening, he felt dizzy and disoriented. His vision was pressed against the ground, his consciousness blurred and darkened, and finally he vanished without a trace.

The man sitting there stared wide-eyed at the scene before him, his mouth slightly agape.

Lin Fan walked up to the man, casually picked up the cloth used to cushion the silver on the table, and wiped the bloodstains off the goose-feather knife.

Then, with a snap, the cold blade was placed on the man's shoulder.

"You've managed to stay calm in this situation; you have good mental fortitude." Lin Fan looked at him with a half-smile. "Tell me, what kind of shady business are you discussing here?"

His gaze swept over the gleaming silver on the table, which must have been at least several hundred taels.

The man forcibly suppressed his shock, raised his head, and tried to remain calm as he met Lin Fan's gaze. "Sir, I am a missionary of the Mingwang Sect. I have come here hoping to use the compassionate principles of my sect to influence the chieftain and persuade him to lay down his weapons and be kind to others."

"Really? You're trying to win him over with money?" Lin Fan asked with a smile.

“The silver isn’t mine. I’m using the core principles of our Mingwang Sect to persuade him. You’re a constable from the Anzhou Prefecture, right? Our Mingwang Sect has a Mingwang Temple in Anzhou, and the prefect there is very supportive of our Mingwang Sect. Would you be interested in getting to know the prefect?” the man said calmly.

No panic at all.

Especially in times like these, it's crucial not to panic.

"Thank you. I have a grudge against Prefect Zhao, so I don't need your introduction. But I'm curious, what is your Mingwang Cult doing here?" Lin Fan asked.

The man's expression remained unchanged as he continued with his usual rhetoric, "Naturally, it's to convey the compassion of the Bright King and spread goodwill and blessings..."

"The transmission of Nima's teachings."

Lin Fan cursed angrily and slit the other man's throat with a single stroke.

What he hates most is empty talk and boasting; it gives him a headache.

What important cultist could be able to run errands to Black Wind Village?

You definitely won't get any answers by asking.

At this moment, Mao Xiang, Qian Tao, and others also walked in.

For Qian Tao and his team, this scene was already commonplace.

But the local constables in Pingcheng County watched all of this with their mouths agape, dumbfounded.

Those bandits, whom even they feared, treated Chief Lin like a chicken, killing him with a single blow and never daring to strike a second time.

Is this the kind of power a human being can possess?
Qian Tao walked up to Lin Fan and said, "Sir, the heads of those bandits outside have all been cut off and loaded onto the cart."

“Hmm,” Lin Fan nodded, pointing to the two corpses on the ground and the silver on the table, “Take their heads and this silver back with them and confiscate them.”

The government needs money everywhere these days, so the spoils from bandit suppression can't be wasted.

As for the other supplies looted from the mountain stronghold...

"Mao Dianshi, you can keep what's left in the village. Consider it a little something to help you organize your belongings."

Since they've already come all this way, we can't let them leave empty-handed.

Upon hearing this, Mao Xiang was immediately filled with gratitude.

"Thank you very much, Chief Class Teacher!"

(End of this chapter)